# Deportment explained — Bleak House

> Chapter companion for Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Richard leaves to begin his legal career, entrusting Ada to Esther's care. They visit Miss Flite, who has recovered from an illness triggered by the death of Nemo. Esther and Ada also visit the Turveydrop dancing academy, where they meet old Mr. Turveydrop, a man obsessed with 'deportment' who lives off his hardworking son, Prince.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Old Mr. Turveydrop's polished deportment masks his exploitation of his son; the Jarndyce suit's promise of wealth is an illusion.

### Family and Loyalty

Richard entrusts Ada to Esther; Prince Turveydrop's filial devotion to his father despite being exploited.

### Social Class and Inequality

Old Mr. Turveydrop's pretensions to aristocracy contrast with his son's labor; Miss Flite's mysterious income highlights class disparities.

## Character check-ins

### Esther Summerson

Narrator; entrusted with Ada's care by Richard; visits Miss Flite and the Turveydrop academy.

### Richard Carstone

Leaves to begin his legal career; builds castles in the air about the Jarndyce suit making them rich.

### Ada Clare

Writes to Richard; expresses concern about trusting the Jarndyce suit.

### Miss Flite

Recovering from illness caused by the death of Nemo; receives weekly shillings from an unknown benefactor.

### Mr. Woodcourt

Miss Flite's physician; attended to her after the death of Nemo.

### Prince Turveydrop

Hardworking dancing master; works twelve hours a day for his father.

### Old Mr. Turveydrop

Obsessed with 'deportment'; lives off his son's labor and believes himself a gentleman.

## Key lines

> And if the suit should make us rich, Esther—which it may, you know!

Richard hopes the Jarndyce lawsuit might eventually make them wealthy.

_Richard's unrealistic optimism about the suit._

> I have finished my professional visit. Miss Flite is much better and may appear in court (as her mind is set upon it) tomorrow.

Mr. Woodcourt reports that Miss Flite has recovered enough to attend court.

_Miss Flite's obsession with the Chancery court._

> A levelling age is not favourable to deportment. It develops vulgarity.

Old Mr. Turveydrop believes modern society lacks the refinement of the past.

_His nostalgia for aristocratic manners._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters/xiv-deportment
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bleak_house_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bleak_house_se/chapters